ALICIA MCCARVELL: "IF YOU DON'T TRY NOW, THEN WHEN?"

FROM VIRAL TO PAID!

Alicia McCarvell went from posting a single viral video to building an entire brand—and she’s never looked back. In this episode, I sit down with Alicia to talk about the strategy behind her success, the mindset shifts that helped her grow, and the business moves that turned her passion into profit. She shares how she expanded her brand into multiple income streams, transitioned from trade deals to paid partnerships, and went from viral sensation to sustainable monetization.

For any creator looking to turn content into a full-time career, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

• Make a Brand Hit List – Write down the brands you already use and love. If it’s part of your daily life and aligns with your audience, it’s a natural fit for sponsorship.

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• ld Pitch with Confidence – Don’t wait for brands to come to you. Reach out via email or DM, introduce yourself, and explain why you’re a great fit. You bring value—own it.

• Show, Don’t Just Tell – When pitching, include past examples of content featuring similar products. If you don’t have any, create organic content first to show how you’d naturally integrate their brand.

• Start With Smaller Collabs – If you’re new to brand deals, start with gifted collaborations, but make it clear you’re working toward paid partnerships. Once you show results, brands will be more willing to invest.

• Negotiate Like a Pro – Don’t accept the first offer. Ask about budget, licensing, exclusivity, and usage rights. If they say there’s no budget, ask, “When do you expect to allocate funds for influencer marketing?”

• Turn One Deal Into Many – Overdeliver on the first collab, then pitch a long-term partnership. Brands prefer ongoing relationships over one-off posts.

• Leverage Your Audience Data – Brands care about engagement more than follower count. Share your audience demographics, reach, and performance metrics to prove your influence.

• Know Your Worth – If a brand wants free work, remember: exposure doesn’t pay the bills. Set your rates based on your time, effort, and audience value. Use tools like Clara for Creators or FYPM to benchmark fair pricing.

• Stay Professional & Personable – Your pitch should be clear, short, and to the point, but don’t be afraid to add personality. Brands want creators who are easy to work with.

• Follow Up & Stay Persistent – If a brand doesn’t respond, follow up in a week. If they say no, check back in a few months. Consistency is key in building relationships.

• Have Financial Cushion to Protect Your Brand – Put enough money away so you never feel pressured to say yes to a brand or sponsorship that doesn’t align with your values. There’s power in saying NO, and it’s much easier when you’re not desperate for a paycheck. Long-term credibility beats short-term cash.

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